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School of Social Work
BCSSW Professor Christopher Salas-Wright named inaugural Barry Family Professor in Social Work
The Barry Family Professorship was established through a gift from University Trustee Steven M. Barry ’85 and his wife Tammy J. Barry ’85, M.Ed. ’87.
Faculty & Research
How does early childhood trauma affect the lives of adults incarcerated for violent crimes?
Assistant Professor Robert O. Motley Jr. plans to survey and interview a total of 350 inmates in Massachusetts to find out.
BCSSW’s career services director has literally written the book on social work careers
Cindy Snell’s new book, “The Social Work Career Guidebook: How to Land Your Ideal Job and Build a Legacy,” guides readers through the process of exploring career options, applying and interviewing for jobs, evaluating offers, negotiating salaries, and more.
BCSSW researcher named Social Work Pioneer
Karen Bullock, the Louise McMahon Ahearn Endowed Professor, an acclaimed researcher in health-related equity and inclusion issues, has been recognized by the National Association of Social Work Foundation.
How this alum is working to ‘revolutionize mental health’
Sheilah M. Gauch, B.A. ‘96, M.S.W. ‘01, will receive BCSSW’s Distinguished Alumni Award for her accomplishments as part of the School’s annual Equity, Justice, and Inclusion Lecture and Distinguished Alumni Award Celebration in October.
This social worker is helping to reduce homelessness nationwide
Rebecca Camargo, M.S.W.’15, will receive BCSSW’s Distinguished Recent Alumni Award for her accomplishments at the School’s annual Equity, Justice, and Inclusion Lecture and Distinguished Alumni Award Celebration in October.
Quick Facts
ranked school of social work (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
of master's students receive financial support
field agency partners
in grant expenditures (2024)
Master of Social Work (MSW) Program
Our top-ranked Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers a strong foundation in social work theory, practice, policy, and research by combining clinical and macro coursework with field education placements at organizations serving vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. Our in-person program offers:
- Full-time (two years)
- Part-time (three or four. years)
- Dual degrees (MSW/JD, MSW/MBA, and MSW and Master in Theology and Ministry)
- Advanced Standing (12-month or 16-month)
- Over 1,075+ ways to tailor your degree with 6 fields of practice, 12 certificates, 3 initiatives, 50+ electives, and 1,000+ field agency partners
The MSW application for a Fall 2025 start is now open.
Get Started: MSW
PhD Program
BCSSW prepares tomorrow’s faculty scholars and researchers to advance the field of social welfare and social work practice through a highly individualized PhD program that promotes original research and the creation of new knowledge.
- The full-time PhD program typically takes four years.
- Each student is assigned a faculty mentor with similar research interests.
- Students spend two years gaining research skills, and then two years conducting independent scholarly research.
- 30 required credits and 15 elective credits (45 credit hours) required for PhD in Social Work.
- PhD applicants are fully funded with a doctoral fellowship valued at more than $200,000 over four years.
The PhD application deadline is December 1.
Get Started: PhD
Our Approach: Pioneering Practice and Research
The only dedicated social work library in New England is found at BCSSW. Our library connects students and alumni to a robust collection of books, journals, and databases.
Initiatives With Impact
Black leadership initiative, latinx leadership initiative, trauma integration initiative.
“ To solve the most intractable problems of our day—and of tomorrow—we must draw upon a diversity of disciplines and partner with those who actually experience the problems. Only then can we create and scale up appropriate evidence-based interventions. ”
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PhD in Social Work. The fulltime PhD in Social Work program typically takes four years. Each student is assigned a faculty mentor with similar research interests. Students spend two years gaining research skills, then two years conducting independent scholarly research.
The Boston College School of Social Work (BCSSW) seeks doctoral students from a variety of personal, educational, and professional backgrounds to join our community. Applicants are supported throughout the application process, with dedicated staff fielding any questions and concerns.
PhD Program. BCSSW prepares tomorrow’s faculty scholars and researchers to advance the field of social welfare and social work practice through a highly individualized PhD program that promotes original research and the creation of new knowledge. The full-time PhD program typically takes four years.
BCSSW prepares tomorrow’s faculty scholars and researchers to advance the field of social welfare and social work practice through a highly individualized PhD program that promotes...
The Boston College School of Social Work (BCSSW) is the graduate school of social work at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Founded in 1936, it is among the nation's oldest schools of social work and provides experience-based Master of Social Work (MSW) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree programs. [1]
The PhD Program. Groundbreaking Research that Informs Practice BCSSW prepares tomorrow’s faculty scholars and researchers to advance the field of social welfare and social work practice through a...